Piperazine, piperidine and tetrahydropyridine derivatives and their pharmaceutical use

ABSTRACT

Novel piperazine, piperidine and tetrahydropyridine derivatives comprising a dibenzofurane moiety are provided herein, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising same and therapeutic uses thereof.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Phase of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/IL2010/000418 having International filing date of May 26, 2010, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/181,331 filed on May 27, 2009. The contents of the above applications are all incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a novel family of compounds and uses thereof to treat disorders such as central nervous system disorders, and more particularly, but not exclusively, novel compounds comprising a piperazine, piperidine or tetrahydropyridine moiety.

Piperazine derivatives which act on the central nervous system (CNS) are known in the art. For example, EP 512755 describes piperazine derivatives having high binding affinity to 5-HT receptors. Recently, piperazine derivatives (and also other nitrogen-containing six-membered rings, such as piperidine), which are substituted at positions 1 and 4 with a fused ring heterocyclic and phenyl groups, respectively, were described in WO 08/117269. The compounds disclosed in WO 08/117269 are reported to bind to dopamine and 5-HT receptors and to be useful in the treatment of various CNS disorders.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a class of compounds of formula (I):

wherein:

-   -   Y₁ and Y₂ are independently CH, C(R₁) or N;     -   X is N, CH or C, with the proviso that when X is C, then the         broken line represents a chemical bond;     -   R₁, R₂ and R₃ are independently selected from the group         consisting of C1-C5 alkyl, —OH, —SH, halogen, alkoxy, namely,         —O(C1-C5alkyl), —NR₄2, NO₂, —CN.     -   m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;     -   n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and     -   p is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4.

It is understood that when m, n, or p equals 0, then the free positions at the relevant ring are occupied by hydrogen atoms.

The compounds of formula I have been found to posses high binding affinity for dopamine and serotonin receptors. The compounds are accordingly useful in the treatment of various CNS disorders, as discussed in more detail below.

Preferably, X in formula I is nitrogen. More specifically, preferred sub-classes of compounds provided by the present invention are represented by formulas Ia, Ib, Ic, Id and Ie (in the formulas depicted below, the substituents on the dibenzofuran system have the meanings as set forth above):

wherein m is 0, 1, 2 or 3, more preferably 0, 1 or 2, and when m is other than 0, then R₁ is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, alkoxy (specifically —OCH3 or —OC2H5), halogen and cyano.

The compounds of formula I may be prepared by reacting a piperazine, piperidine or 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine derivative of formula II (or an acid addition salt thereof),

with dibenzofurane of formula III:

wherein X, Y1, Y2, R1, R2, R3 m, n and p are as hereinabove defined and L is a suitable leaving group such as halogen, (specifically chlorine or bromine), p-toluene sulfonate or mesylate). Thus, the reaction involves the formation of a tertiary amine by alkylation of a secondary amine (of formula II) with alkyl halide, tosylate or mesylate (of formula III). The reaction may be conveniently carried out in a solvent, which may be selected from the group consisting of dimethylformamide; ethers such tetrahydrofuran; acetonitrile, ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; and halogenated hydrocarbons. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a base, which may be either an inorganic base (alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonate, alkali metal hydrogen carbonate and sodium hydroxide) or an organic base (trialkyl amine, such as triethylamine; or pyridine). dimethylformamide and triethylamine are generally the preferred solvent and base, respectively, employed in the reaction.

In practice, the solvent and the base are charged into a reaction vessel, following which the starting materials of formulas II and III are added and allowed to dissolve under stirring. The starting materials may be used in equimolar amounts, but it may be preferable to apply the starting material of formula II in a 1.5 molar excess. The reaction may be carried out under room temperature or possibly under heating. The reaction reaches completion after about 16 hours. The product of formula I may then be isolated from the reaction mixture by means of known procedures. More specifically, upon removal of the solvent by means of evaporation under reduced pressure, an the product of formula I may be recovered as an oily material which can be purified by means of silica gel column chromatography.

The reactants of formula II and III which participate in the synthetic pathway described above are commercially available, or may be prepared by conventional methods.

Regarding the starting material of formula III, a dibenzofurane system is most generally represented by the following formula:

where the numbers 1-4 and 6-9 represent positions in which substiuents may be provided. As indicated before, in the starting material of formula III, which is operative according to the present invention in the preparation of the end product of formula I, position 4 is occupied by the group —CH2L (wherein L is a leaving group). The starting material of formula III may be obtained by reducing a corresponding aldehyde, to form a dibenzofurane derivative having —CH2OH group attached at position 4, and subsequently converting said alcohol to the starting material of formula III, wherein the leaving group L is halogen, such as chlorine or bromine, as illustrated by the following sequential reaction scheme:

The reduction of the aldehyde of formula (V) to form the primary alcohol of formula (IV) may be conveniently accomplished in the presence of a hydride source, namely, a complex metal hydride, such as sodium borohydride or lithium aluminum hydride. A suitable solvent to employed in the reaction is typically a short chain alkanol, specifically methanol or ethanol. The primary alcohol intermediate is isolated from the reaction mixture and is subsequently treated with a halide source, such as thionyl chloride or various phosphorous halides. The conversion of the alcohol (IV) into the corresponding haloalkane (III).

The compounds the invention were tested for dopamine (D2, D3 and D4.4) receptors binding activity and 5-HT_(1A) receptor binding activity according to the procedures described in WO 08/117269; the compounds of the invention were found to be potent ligands of said receptors. The compounds of the invention may be used in the treatment of CNS disorders in mammals, especially human. Of particular interest is the use of the compounds of the invention as anti-dyskinetic agents. Dyskinesia is a serious side effect associated with L-DOPA treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease. An in vivo study given below demonstrates that the compounds of the invention exhibit activity against L DOPA induced dyskinesia in parkinsonian rats.

The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. The composition may be provided either in a solid or liquid form, or a mixture of solid and liquid.

Suitable solid compositions include tablets, capsules, caplets, powders, granulates, sachets, lozenges and pastilles. Examples of excipients which are combined with the active ingredient to produce the composition include (but are not limited to) diluents or fillers (e.g. lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch), binders (e.g. carbopol, povidone, xanthan gum), lubricants (e.g. magnesium stearate), glidants (e.g. talc, colloidal silicon dioxide) and disintegrants (e.g. alginic acid, carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethyl starch, croscarmellose sodium, sodium starch glycolate).

Solid unit dosage forms (e.g., tablets or capsules) may be manufactured by a variety of different methods, as are well known in the art, including a direct compression using a tablet punch. As an alternative to direct compression, the active ingredient and excipients may be combined by dry blending, and then subjected to dry granulation prior to tablet compression. A further alternative method is to utilize wet granulation, in which at least some of the excipients, together with the active ingredient, are blended and then further mixed in the presence of a granulation liquid. Following aggregation of the various powders, the aggregates (i.e. granules) are then sized by screening or milling, dried and used to produce a tablet. The tablet may be finally coated.

Solid formulation blends for loading into capsules (such as soft gelatin capsules) may be prepared by dry blending, or by wet or dry granulation prior to being introduced into said capsules.

Suitable liquid compositions include, inter alia, solutions, suspensions and syrups, in which solvents (e.g. water, an organic solvent) emulsifying agents (e.g. carbomer, cetyl alcohol, gelatin), flavoring agents (e.g. vanillin, fruit acids, menthol), sweeteners (e.g. sucrose, fructose, aspartame, saccharin) and preservatives may be present together with the active compound of formula I.

In addition to orally-administrable compositions, the compounds of the invention may be formulated into sterile solution for intravenous or intramuscular injection.

Further information relating to the preparation of solid, liquid and gel dosage forms that are suitable for use in the present invention may be obtained from any standard pharmaceutical reference work, such as Remington's Pharmaceutical Science (Martin E W [1995], Mack Publishing Company, 19th ed.).

A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of a compound of formula I set forth herein above in the preparation of a medicament, e.g., for the treatment of CNS disorders in a mammal, and more specifically, for the treatment of dyskinesia.

The present invention also relates to a method for treating CNS disorders in a patient, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I. It is to be understood that the dosages may vary depending upon the requirements of the patient, the severity of the disorder being treated, and the particular compound being used. If desired, the daily dose may also be divided into multiple doses for administration, e.g., two to four times per day. The compounds of Formula I according to this invention may be administered orally or parenterally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating the results of an in vivo activity study in which a compound of the invention was tested as an anti-diskinesia agent.

EXAMPLES Preparation 1 Preparation of 4-(chloromethyl)Dibenzofuran (A Starting Material of Formula III)

a) Dibenzofuran-4-ylmethanol

1 g (5.1 mmol) of Dibenzofuran-4-carboxaldehyde is dissolved in 5 ml of ethanol. 0.24 g of NaBH₄ is then added portionwise to the stirred solution during a period 20 minutes. The solution is maintained under stirring at room temperature for 2 hours, following which the solvent is evaporated. The residue obtained is treated with water, and aqueous layer is then extracted with ether. Evaporation of the organic phase yielded 0.90 g of Dibenzofuran-4-ylmethanol.

b) 4-(chloromethyl)Dibenzofuran

Thionyl chloride (6 ml) is added to a solution of Dibenzofuran-4-ylmethanol (0.9 g). The solution is refluxed for 1 hour. Excess of reagent is evaporated to yield 4-(chloromethyl)Dibenzofuran (0.97 g).

Example 1 (L32)

4-(chloromethyl)Dibenzofuran (0.34 g, 1.7 mmol) and 1-(2-ethoxyphenyl)piperazine hydrochloride (0.62 g, 2.55 mmol) are added to a stirred solution of N,N Dimethylformamide (5 ml) and triethylamine (1 ml). The solution formed is stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The solvent is then evaporated under reduced pressure and the crude residue obtained was chromatographed on silica gel with eluant hexane:ethyl acetate (90% Hexane/10% Ethyl Acetate). Following recrystallization from hexane, the product was collected in a solid form (120 mg).

H¹NMR: 1.10 (t, 3H), 2.82 (t, 2H), 3.27 (t, 2H), 4.02 (s, 2H), 4.21 (q, 2H) 7.10-8.05 (m, 10H, arom).

Example 2 (L33)

4-(chloromethyl)Dibenzofuran (0.34 g, 1.7 mmol) and 1-(3-hydroxyphenyl) piperazine (0.50 gr. (2.55 mmol) are added to a stirred solution of N,N Dimethylformamide (5 ml) and triethylamine (1 ml). The solution formed is stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The solvent is then evaporated under reduced pressure and the crude residue obtained is chromatographed on silica gel with eluant hexane:ethyl acetate (80% Hexane/20% Ethyl Acetate). Following recrystallization from hexane, the product is collected in a solid form (390 mg).

H¹NMR: 2.84 (t, 2H), 3.31 (t, 2H), 4.07 (s, 2H), 6.92-7.91 (m, 11H, arom).

Example 3 (L34)

4-(chloromethyl)Dibenzofuran (0.34 g, 1.7 mmol) and 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (0.50 g) are added to a stirred solution of N,N Dimethylformamide (5 ml) and triethylamine (1 ml). The solution formed is stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The solvent is then evaporated under reduced pressure and the crude residue obtained is chromatographed on silica gel with eluant hexane:ethyl acetate (90% Hexane/10% Ethyl Acetate). Following recrystallization from hexane, the product is collected in a solid form (100 mg).

H¹NMR: 2.78-3.95 (m, 6H), 4.03 (s, 2H), 4.55 (m, 1H) (6.93-8.82 (m, 12H, arom)

Example 4 (L105)

4-(chloromethyl)Dibenzofuran (1 g, 5 mmol) and 4-phenyl piperidine (1.2 g, 7.55 mmol) are added to a stirred solution of N,N Dimethylformamide (10 ml) and triethylamine (2 ml). The solution formed is stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The solvent is then evaporated under reduced pressure and the crude residue obtained is chromatographed on silica gel with eluant hexane:ethyl acetate (90% Hexane/10% Ethyl Acetate) to give the product (195 mg)

H¹NMR: 2.18-3.88 (m, 9H, piperidine), 4.03 (s, 2H), (6.90-8.72 (m, 12H, arom)

Example 5 (L106)

4-(chloromethyl)Dibenzofuran (0.78 g, 4 mmol) and 2-thiazole piperazine (1 g, 6 mmol) are added to a stirred solution of N,N Dimethylformamide (10 ml) and triethylamine (2 ml). The solution formed is stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The solvent is then evaporated under reduced pressure to give a crude residue, which is chromatographed on silica gel with eluant hexane:ethyl acetate (90% Hexane/10% Ethyl Acetate) to afford the product (204 mg).

H¹NMR: 2.86 (t, 2H), 3.28 (t, 2H), 4.03 (s, 2H), (6.92-8.89 (m, 9H, arom)

Example 6 (L107)

4-(chloromethyl)Dibenzofuran (0.78 g, 4 mmol) and 1-(-2-methoxyphenyl) piperazine hydrochloride (1.4 g, 6 mmol) are added to a stirred solution of N,N Dimethylformamide (10 ml) and triethylamine (2 ml). The solution formed is stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The solvent is then evaporated under reduced pressure to give a crude residue, which is chromatographed on silica gel with eluant hexane:ethyl acetate (90% Hexane/10% Ethyl Acetate) to afford the product (411 mg).

H¹NMR: 2.81 (t, 2H), 3.21 (t, 2H), 4.02 (s, 2H), 4.21 (s, 3H) 7.09-8.09 (m, 10H, arom).

Example 7 (L108)

4-(chloromethyl)Dibenzofuran (0.78 g, 4 mmol) and 1-(-2-pyridyl) piperazine (0.8 g, 5 mmol) are added to a stirred solution of N,N Dimethylformamide (10 ml) and triethylamine (2 ml). The solution formed is stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The solvent is then evaporated under reduced pressure to give a crude residue, which is chromatographed on silica gel with eluant hexane:ethyl acetate (80% Hexane/20% Ethyl Acetate) to afford the product (223 mg).

H¹NMR: 2.87 (t, 2H), 3.25 (t, 2H), 4.1 (s, 2H), 7.09-8.17 (m, 10H, arom).

Example 8 (L109)

4-(chloromethyl)Dibenzofuran (0.78 g, 4 mmol) and 1-(-2-cyanophenyl) piperazine (0.9 g, 5 mmol) are added to a stirred solution of N,N-Dimethylformamide (10 ml) and triethylamine (2 ml). The solution formed is stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The solvent is then evaporated under reduced pressure to give a crude residue, which is chromatographed on silica gel with eluant hexane:ethyl acetate (90% Hexane/20% Ethyl Acetate) to afford the desirable product (180 mg)

H¹NMR: 2.86 (t, 2H), 3.28 (t, 2H), 4.05 (s, 2H), 6.96-7.97 (m, 11H, arom).

Example 9 (L110)

4-(chloromethyl)Dibenzofuran (0.78 g, 4 mmol) and 1-(-2-pyrimidyl) piperazine (1 g, 6 mmol) are added to a stirred solution of N,N Dimethylformamide (10 ml) and triethylamine (2 ml). The solution formed is stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The solvent is then evaporated under reduced pressure to give a crude residue, which is chromatographed on silica gel with eluant hexane:ethyl acetate (80% Hexane/20% Ethyl Acetate) to afford the product (503 mg)

H¹NMR: 2.84 (t, 2H), 3.27 (t, 2H), 4.1 (s, 2H), 7.04-8.27 (m, 9H, arom).

Example 10

The compounds of Examples 1, 3, 4 and 9 were tested for their 5-HT_(1A) receptor binding activity and dopamine (D2, D3 and D4.4) receptors binding activity according to the protocols set forth above. The percentage inhibition of labeled ligand binding caused by the indicated few test ligand compound of the invention at different concentrations of said test ligand is shown in Table I.

TABLE I Compound, 1 micrMol 5-HT_(1A) binding D2 binding D3 binding D4 binding L-33 43.4 75% 78.2 77.7 L-109 73.5 68.7 63.2 64.9 L-107 86.7 96% 33.7 78 L-105 42.2 93.8 44.5 69.1

The results demonstrate that the compounds of the invention strongly bind to both D2, D3 and D4 dopamine and 5-HT_(1A) receptors.

Example 11

In the following study, the compound of Example 2 was tested for its in vivo activity against L-DOpA induced dyskinesia in parkinsonian rats (the model is the L-DOPA-induced abnormal involuntary movements (AIMS) in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion rat model).

Rats were unilaterally lesioned with (6-OHDA) in medial forebrain bundle. Three weeks later, rats were injected with apomorphine (0.1 mg/kg s.c.) and numbers of contralateral turns were counted using a rotameter. Two weeks after the apomorphine test, rats showing marked turning activity were selected and split into 2 groups:

The experimental group, which received the compound of Example 2, and the control group, which received the injection medium for said compound (CMC in saline); n=5 and 3 respectively.

All animals were treated daily with L-dopa/carbidopa (25/6 mg/kg respectively) and dyskinetic movements were scored commencing day 5. Compounds were administered in escalating dose, at daily doses shown below, commencing day 11 of L-dopa treatment: 1 mg/kg—11^(th) day, 1 mg/kg—12^(th), 2 mg/kg—15^(th), 2 mg/kg—16^(th). On the 17^(th) day, the rats of the control group were injected with propranolol (10 mg/kg in saline), whereas the rats of the experimental group were injected with saline. On the 18^(th) and 19^(th) day all rats were treated with L-dopa/carbidopa only.

The following dyskinetic movements were scored: dystonic posturing, head and upper body movements, forelimb, locomotion, trunk, orolingual. Movements were scored according to the protocol shown in Table II.

TABLE II HEAD AND OROLINGUAL DYSTONIC UPPER BODY LIMB LOCOMOTIVE & OROFACIAL SCORE POSTURING MOVEMENTS MOVEMENTS MOVEMENTS MOVEMENTS 0-4 head and body head abnormal, locomotion empty jaw turning towards movements purposeless movements movements, the side and movements contralaterally to contralateral contralateral choreiform of the forelimb the lesion tongue to the lesion twisting and digits protrusion of the neck contralateral to tremor of face and upper the lesion muscles, body gritting of the teeth 0 absent of movements absent of movements single opening   0.5 light or single very weak or weak forelimb ~1 rotation of the mouth, very turning of the single swings in 1 minute single tongue weak head towards head single tongue or the side movements protrusion, single contralateral tremor of face movements to the lesion muscles, with angle gritting of teeth of bias about 30° 1 turning of the frequent little forelimb ~2-5 hardly seen, but weak head head movements rotations permanent movements at the point of movements along in 1 minute jaw movements the forelimb the ground of with (angle of bias the case close mouth, about 90°) or distinct, rare tongue but rare protrusion movements with lifted forelimb 2 turning of the moderate and steady moderate ~6-10 permanent jaw moderate head distinctly seen movements rotations movements movements at the point of head with lifted in 1 minute with a little the back paw movements and forelimb opening (angle of bias choreiform mouth, about 150°) twisting more often of the neck tongue protrusion 3 turning of the strong head fast plentiful ~11-18 permanent jaw strong head movements movements rotations movements movements at the point of and choreiform with lifted in 1 minute with a broadly the tail twisting forelimb opening (angle of bias of the neck and mouth, about 180°) upper body frequent tongue protrusion 4 turning of the strong head rapid more than very head movements, movements of 18 rotations strong over the tail choreiform lifted forelimb in a minute movements with the twisting with large scale angle bias of the neck more than 180° and upper body, throwing back the head

The results are presented in FIG. 1, AIM score is shown for the relevant treatment days (for the sum of all movements indicated in Table II together). A strong anty-dyskinetic effect is observed on the 16^(th) day, in which day the compound of the invention was administered (for the second time in succession) at a daily dose of 2 mg/kg. It is noted that Propanolol, which was given to the control group in a dose of 10 mg/kg on the 17^(th) day, reduced the abnormal involuntary movements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of the general formula:

wherein: R₁ is hydroxy; R₂ and R₃ are independently selected from the group consisting of C1-C5 alkyl, —OH, —SH, halogen, alkoxy, NO₂, and —CN; m is 1; n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and p is 0, 1, 2, 3 or
 4. 2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as defined in claim 1 in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
 3. A method for treating CNS dyskinesia in mammals, comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the compound defined in claim
 1. 4. A compound of formula I:

wherein: Y₁ is N and Y₂ is independently CH, or N; X is N; R₁, R₂ and R₃ are independently selected from the group consisting of C1-C5 alkyl, —OH, —SH, halogen, alkoxy, NO₂, and —CN; m is 1; n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and p is 0, 1, 2, 3 or
 4. 5. A compound according to claim 4, having the formula Ib or Ic:


6. A compound according to claim 5, wherein R₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen and cyano.
 7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as defined in claim 4 in combination with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
 8. A method for treating CNS dyskinesia in mammals, comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the compound defined in claim
 4. 